TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The defense ministry on Monday welcomed UK Defense Secretary John Healey’s supportive comments on Taiwan.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Healey suggested that the UK would fight if a Taiwan Strait conflict broke out. He said: “If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the UK are nations that will fight together. We exercise together, and by exercising together and being more ready to fight, we deter better together.”

Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Healey’s remarks demonstrate the UK’s concern for regional peace and stability and its opposition to China’s authoritarian expansionism, per CNA. They also underscore the importance of Taiwan’s efforts to bolster combat preparedness and deepen cooperation with like-minded democracies to build deterrence and prevent Chinese aggression, Koo said.

However, Healey stressed that the UK preferred to see any regional disputes resolved “peacefully” and “diplomatically.” He added, “We secure peace through strength, and our strength comes from our allies.”

Last week, the UK and Australia issued a joint statement calling for a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues through dialogue without the use of force.